K-pop: how South Korea turned round its music scene

K-pop: TVXQ, though now a duo, were massive sellers for SM Entertainment

South Korean music has, traditionally, never been on the radar of major labels and publishers. Being one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world (out of a population of 48.6 million, 39.4 million use the internet), the country's music industry suffered from rampant piracy for most of the past decade.

There was little revenue to be collected internally, and there wasn't much demand for Korean artists outside the territory. Though Universal Music Group opened an office in the country over a decade ago, the only local artists it would invest in were classical ones.

But about four years ago – when, perhaps not so coincidentally, South Korea introduced anti-piracy legislation – Pelle Lidell, European A&R executive of the company's publishing arm, turned his attention to pitching songs written by his roster of largely Scandinavian and British songwriters to Korean artists. Today UMG considers Korea to be one of the most important territories – and it's all because of K-pop.

The K-pop phenomenon emerged at the beginning of the last decade, with Korean music production houses taking the concept of pop factories to levels way beyond The X Factor. Companies such as SM Entertainment and Play Cube Entertainment tapped into the 360 degree model way before the major labels – being independent record labels, talent agencies and publishers with their own academies where they groom young teenagers to be pop stars.

SME even has its own merchandise store in Seoul. The SM Entertainment building, set in what Lidell calls "the coolest youth district" of the city, contains a coffee shop, luxury restaurant, a section where you can take pictures that look like you're sitting with the SME stars, and a store for SME artist memorabilia.

Though 55% of Korean music sales are digital, the company makes sure that physical CDs are attractive enough for the fans to splurge on them as well. It doesn't release records in ordinary CD cases; they're all in glossy luxury packaging. They're often released in up to five different packages – and the fans buy them all.

To call SME an independent is almost misleading, as the company has 250 employees and has sold more than 59m records in the last year alone. "What UK label sells that many records of local repertoire in a year?" asks Lidell. "They're the biggest in Korea. Today, many of the biggest US artists and songwriters, like will.i.am and Sean Garrett, shuttle back and forth to work with Korean acts."

He adds: "I've never had a single release [in Korea] that has sold less than 400,000. Mirotic, a single by the group TVXQ sold around 2m in Korea and Japan (the group call themselves Tohoshinki in Japan). SME boy band Super Junior is Korean, but they've also put together a Super Junior in China. So sometimes when I get a cut with a song I'll make three different adaptations: Korean, Japanese and Chinese."

There's also a lot of sync income in Korea. The song Top Billing Love – written by Karen Poole, Bloodshy and Avant, responsible for hits for artists like Kylie and Britney – almost made it onto a Britney Spears album in 2002. SME did a deal with mobile phone manufacturer LG and its biggest girl groups, Girls' Generation and FX, did a version each of the song, calling it Chocolate Love, since LG were launching a new brown phone.

Girls' Generation's version went straight to number one. A few weeks later they released the FX version , which also went to number one. Then they released a joint version for LG, which also went to the top of the charts.

It took a bit longer for the recording side of UMG to get involved with K-pop. "It's only in the past two years that we've seen proper growth in revenue from Korea," says Sandy Monteiro, the president of UMG International in South East Asia. "Investing in this kind of artist development is not cheap. Though local classical artists are more niche, they're a safer bet and require a tiny investment compared to K-pop acts. There are so many companies working with what we call 'the Idol format', so you've got a fight on your hands. But on 1 January last year we took the plunge."

That's when UMG decided to invest in Play Cube Entertainment, resulting in the label's K-pop sales jumping from 9% of total Korean sales to 29% in 2010. But K-pop isn't just a success in its country of birth. It's also big in countries such as the Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore, China and Japan. While Play Cube's biggest act, boy band Beast, reached six-times-platinum sales in Korea alone, it also sold gold in most other south-east Asian markets. Its biggest girl group, 4Minute, isn't far behind.

"Beast are as big in South East Asia as Backstreet Boys were in the west, 15 years ago," says Monteiro. Idol sales represent about 40% of all music sales in Korea, but they make up the bulk of all sales of Korean music in the rest of south-east Asia. That's why UMG is now also licensing Korean repertoire that is not signed to the label, including some of SME's acts, to countries outside Korea. "[The K-pop production houses] tend to be quite mercenary. But they've realised the value of partnering with a stable set-up like ours."

Monteiro doubts K-pop will ever become as big in countries like the US and UK, as music fans in those markets would just be too critical about the lyrics and the acts' accents when singing in English. That, however, doesn't seem to be a major problem considering that while UK revenue from record sales shrunk by more than 11% in 2010, Korean overall sales were up 11.7%. This is why, at a recent industry event in Abu Dhabi, UMG's head of digital, Rob Wells, indicated that K-pop was high on the label's list of priorities, and Monteiro says UMG is planning to double its investment in Korea.

The fact that South Korea has very strict anti-piracy laws – including a three-strike rule for illegal downloaders – has helped turn around the fortunes of the country's music industry. But UMG's Korean managing director, Beom-Joon Yang, believes that there's more to it. "We think the combined popularity of Korean megastar icons like Rain, Korean television soap dramas, top-quality music production in Korea, and a genuine love for Korean culture overall around Asia, have attributed to making K-pop part of mainstream pop culture."

Abdul Shukur Idrus “Umno is ‘rakyat’

Deputy Minister in the PM's Department Ahmad Maslan says the opposition's overzealous allegations against FGVH had caused its shares to fluctuate.

KUALA LUMPUR: The opposition’s slanderous accusations are among the main causes for Felda Global Ventures Holdings’ (FGVH) share fluctuations, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Ahmad Maslan said today.

He said the opposition’s overzealous allegations against FGVH had caused its shares to fluctuate.

“Besides world palm oil market contributory factors, slanders hurled by opposition leaders also caused FGVH shares to be unstable,” said Ahmad, who is also Umno information chief, to reporters at the Umno General Assembly.

Recently, the National Association of Felda Settlers’ Children president, Mazlan Aliman, who is also PAS central committee member, had accused Felda of selling palm oil to an Israeli company.

Calling opposition leaders a group of liars and slanderers, Ahmad said Felda never had any business transactions whatsoever with Isra

- Bernama

“Better the devil you know than the angel you don’t,” Mahathir Kutty

Malaysian Muslim worship many Gods but not Allah.

They have the Muslim Lord God in Batu Caves.
They have a Malay Party that is God.
They have a Malay Paper that is God.
So I called Allah to confirm and the message is very simple R.A.H.M.A.N.

A 58-year-old man with a 10-year history of idiopathic Parkinson's disease presented with an incapacitating freezing of gait. However, the patient's ability to ride a bicycle was remarkably preserved. (In Video 2, the patient is not wearing a safety helmet because in the Netherlands, wearing a safety helmet is neither required by law nor customary.) http://bit.ly/c4BQ2f

Ludovic Mohammed Zahed is braced for controversy, maybe even worse. A gay Muslim and an expert on the Koran, Zahed plans to open Europe's first gay-friendly mosque in Paris at the end of this month. He calls it a place of shelter as well as a place of worship.

"We need to have a safe space for people who do not feel comfortable and at ease in normal mosques," Zahed told ABC News. "There are transgender people who fear aggression, women who do not want to wear head scarf or sit in the back of the mosque. This project gives hope back to many believers in my community."

"Common prayer, practiced in an egalitarian setting and without any form of gender-based discrimination, is one of the pillars supporting the proposed reforms of our progressive representation of Islam," he said.

"The Unity" mosque will initially operate in a Buddhist temple in a neighborhood in eastern Paris, and will emphasize "accepting everyone as equally God's creation....I hope straight men will pray together with gay men and women, everyone," said Zahed who declines to make public the address of the venue, due to security concerns.

Zahed's mosque will honor some Islamic traditions, like Friday prayers (Jumu'ah), and the Muslim marriage contract (Nikah) to bless same-sex marriage. It will also perform funeral rites (Janazah) for those who have been denied a traditional Islamic funeral based on Sharia law because of their sexual orientation.

"It is a safe place to worship," said Zahed, where no religious questions will go unaddressed. "Our imams will talk on any taboo topic." Zahed will be one of three prayer leaders, along with a female French convert to Islam and another man who is being trained.

"Current Islamic ethics may condemn this sexual orientation," Zahed said, "but in fact nothing in Islam or the Koran forbids homosexuality. Indeed, for centuries, Muslims did not consider homosexuality to be the supreme abomination that they do today."

According to Zahed, renowned Muslim poets wrote odes glorifying handsome boys. Some were interpreted as metaphors for loving God, but some also seem to reference gay intimate relations. Zahed argues that homosexuality became criminalized only under European colonialism.

"From the 10th to the 14th century, Muslim society used to be a far richer mix of the legal, the rational and the mystic," said Zahed. "They looked at sexuality as one aspect of life's many possibilities, and they saw in it the hope for spiritual insight."

"Even if this mosque is newfound freedom," said Nasser, an openly-gay Parisian, "gays will remain in a closet, worried about being ostracized at their local schwarma stand."

While it would be the first gay mosque in Paris, there are believed to be 21 other gay mosques sprinkled through the U.S., Canada and South Africa.

In countries where traditional Islam is dominant, like Egypt and Iran, punishment against homosexual activity, not to mention advocacy for gay rights, is very severe.

Zahed's Parisian mosque will be inspired by the work of Muslims for Progressive Values in North America, who practice common prayer, in an egalitarian setting and without any form of gender-based discrimination.

"We are already working very closely with them. The idea for our Paris mosque comes as a result of our conversations," says Zahed, whose future plans include "a progressive mosque in the UK and then another one in Denmark will follow."

Zahed believes, if the Prophet Mohamad was alive today, he would marry gay couples. He himself is the first gay man to marry partner in a Muslim ceremony in France. He is an Algerian PhD student writing his thesis on Islam and homosexuality, a subject he also addressed in a book "The Koran and the Flesh."

He has experienced anti-gay discrimination from Islamic groups, and Islamophobia from members of the French gay community.

Meanwhile there is a lot of controversy in France regarding both same-sex marriages and Islamic influence and practices. Ten days ago, tens of thousands protesters took to the streets against government's plan to legalize same-sex marriage, while several weeks ago, right wing protesters stormed an unfinished mosque to show disapproval of France's large community of Muslim immigrants.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

People like Shahrizat thinks she is above and better than the Rakyat when in fact she is a liar, adulteress and thief.
It is that time again when those prostitutes and thieves are having a time of their life in PWTC fucking everyone but themselves.
As a Muslim woman, mother, wife and someone who knew Shahrizat and family, I feel dirty and sick to the core.
In Chinese there is a curse "Lightning and thunder must whack her."
Pendatang like Shahrizat has no right to talk about May 13.

I'D RATHER HAVE PIRATES THAN PERVERTS IN GARBS IN PUTRAJAYA!!

If PAS believes that it makes them "HOLY" to persecute Unisex hair salons,

If they Protest against Elton John because they ENVY or object to what he does with his own PENIS/ DICK/ COCK,

If they have so much hatred for people who just be themselves in their privacy,

If they get uncontrollable HARD-Ons seeing beautiful and SEXY women,If they hate to see people have some fun through music/ concerts,

If they feel threatened by people having a "drink",If they feel they don't need my support.....WELL- FUCK YOU TOO, PAS!!

IF THEY ARE THAT DUMB- CAN GO TO HELL!!

IF THEY'RE SO DUMB THAT THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PEOPLE'S ASPIRATIONS (beyond their obsession with sex, dicks, asses and pussies) AND THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION- THEY DONT DESERVE MY SUPPORT!!

I AM SO BLOODY sick and tired of these SEXIST hate mongering PERVERTS!!

ENOUGH OF PAS's SEXIST STANCE!!

I want leaders who can give us GOOD GOVERNANCE-NOT idiots who look at people's dicks and under ladies skirts!! Not leaders who want to promise me their heaven!!I WANT LEADERS WHO TALK ABOUT EQUALITY, JUSTICE, HUMANITY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE!! NOT PERVERTS WHO TALK ABOUT HEAVEN, ASSESS, SEX OR DICKS!!

In place of the suppressed local press, Slipped Disc has given full coverage to the sacking of nine western players of the Malaysian Philharmonic by a management under the control of the state oil company, Petronas.

Today, principal trumpet Jon Dante won his case for constructive dismissal against the orchestra management and the chief conductor, Claus Peter Flor. The case was heard in the civil courts – not an industrial tribunal – and the MPO is likely to appeal. But it has highlighted malpractices by Petronas officials and the chief conductor, and given heart to the other musicians who are still fighting for fair play.

A much-loved novel about polite society in 19th century England has become an unlikely obsession for a 40-year-old Polish orangutan, according to his zookeeper.

Albert, the literature-loving 200-pound primate at Gdansk Zoo in Poland, is reported to enjoy up to 50 pages a day of Jane Austen's masterpiece Pride And Prejudice, according to the Daily Star.

Keeper Michael Krause resorted to reading the book aloud out of desperation when Albert and partner Raya would not settle down for the night, despite staff trying to wear them out with play or fruit snacks.

Kindergarden children look at a statue of a Korean boy responding to the call of nature at the Toilet Culture Park in Suwon. Photo: KIM HONG-JI

Rodin's Thinker is pondering even harder than usual as he sits astride a toilet at what has been dubbed the world's first theme park dedicated to the humble restroom - a monument to one South Korean man's vision.

The park, located about an hour outside of Seoul in the city of Suwon - otherwise known as the home of Samsung Electronics - centres around a toilet-shaped museum building that was once the home of Sim Jae-duck, founder and first president of the World Toilet Association.

Legend has it that Sim, a former Suwon mayor who made his fortune with a metal products business and was dubbed "Mr Toilet," was born in his impoverished grandmother's outhouse.

Kindergarden children look at a statue of a man responding to the call of nature at the Toilet Culture Park in Suwon. Photo: Reuters

"He is a man whose life literally began in a toilet and ended at a commode-shaped house," said Lee Yeun-sook, manager of planning at the "Mr Toilet Sim Jae-duck Foundation".

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Sim, who died in 2009 at the age of 70, shot to fame in South Korea when he provided loos for soccer fans when the country hosted the 2002 World Cup.

The organization he founded has as its mission spreading the benefits of hygienic toilets around the world, joining the like-minded World Toilet Organization based in Singapore.

The park, which is the only one of its type in the world, exhibits a variety of bowls from Korean traditional squat toilets to western bedpans. Photo: Reuters

Before Mr.Toilet's house was donated to Suwon city, visitors could book it for an overnight stay, but at the cost of $50,000 a night - the charge to raise money for a toilet building charity. There were no takers.

Other exhibits at the park include Korean traditional squat toilets, European bedpans, and Marcel Duchamp's sculpture "Fountain," a porcelain urinal.

Suwon has since dubbed itself the mecca of toilet culture and has pushed to get toilets recognised as a central part of everyday life. It has funded toilet building programmes in developing countries such as thePhilippines.

A tourist poses next to an installation shaped like Auguste Rodin's sculpture "The Thinker" on a toilet, at the Toilet Culture Park in Suwon. Photo: Reuters

At home, toilet conditions have rapidly improved as South Korean living standards shot from poverty to riches in a generation.

"For our generation, a toilet was a very dirty and smelly place where you never wanted to go," said Kim Gye-soon, a 52-year-old tourist at the theme park. "But now it is totally different."

Suwon will continue the life-work of one of its most famous sons by constructing a toilet culture center in 2014 near the current park, which has attracted about 40,000 visitors since it opened in July.

Like many of the best things in life, the toilet museum is free.

"Going to the restroom is as vital as eating. In a sense, nations and governments should work to make sure everyone has an equal access to toilets and feels happiness in there," said Lee.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Rosli Dahlan’s RM50 Million Trial: A Classic Case of Justice Denied

Preamble: Amidst the excitement and din of UMNO politics,which is receiving a lot of media attention, it is easy for us to forget the struggle of lawyer Rosli Dahlan (right) for honour, justice and truth. Since 2007, when he was first handcuffed in his office and charged on the eve of Aidil Fitri, my good friend Rosli has been taking on the establishment and its mainstream media to clear his name and restore reputation.

With this in mind, I am posting my latest piece on his Rm50 million trial so that this saga will not escape our attention. As usual, the media has distorted his story.–Din Merican

————————————————–

November 16 2012 was a glorious day for Dato Ramli Yusuff as Polis DiRaja Malaysia (PDRM) gave him a full honour farewell complete with a General’s salute by a mounted Guard of Honour and a retreat in a PDRM’s ceremonial open top Land Rover in full regalia in the best traditions of the Police Force. The Government seems to have found peace with Dato Ramli.

Thus, I was surprised when I found out that his lawyer and good friend, Rosli Dahlan, is still fighting the MACC and the Government. That can only mean that Rosli did not settle with the government. That can only mean that Rosli has been left out in the cold. I recalled that until now Dato Ramli has yet to file any law suit against the government, the A-G Gani Patail or even against Musa Hassan whom Ramli had repeatedly accused of conspiring to cause his downfall.

In the meantime, I noted with amusement that Musa Hassan now appears to have joined the Opposition bandwagon by attacking PDRM and current IGP Ismail Omar for rigging the country’s crime statistics. And today, Musa Hassan accused Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein of interfering with the Police Force. I don’t know what Musa is up to but he is certainly living up to his name Musa the Musang, or Musa the cunning fox.

So, I got a bit confused when I read reports from the mainstream newspapers that Rosli had lost his case when his claim was struck out like this report from The Star:

Struck out – claim against bank manager

And then another newspaper reported that Rosli had withdrawn his RM50 million suit:

Lawyer withdraws RM50m suit

Upon reading them more closely, I realised that the titles of all the articles in the mainstream newspapers have been given a journalistic slant to mislead the public. That’s what happens when national newspapers become merely propaganda tools of the powers that be.

From friends in Bank Negara, I was told that Rosli released the Bank Negara officer, whom he thought had done an illegal financial search on him. Apparently, the real culprit who did the search on Rosli was DPP Zulkifli Ahmad who has now admitted this in his witness statement. Just to confirm that what I heard was correct, I called Rosli early this morning before his court case started.

Rosli could not talk for long. When I asked him jestingly if he was given a good settlement by Bank Negara, Rosli replied; “It’s not about the money Din. I finally met Abdul Rahman, the BNM Officer. He told me he was my junior in IIU. He told me he was not involved. I asked him to look directly into my eyes and repeat those words in the name of God. He said Lillah I was not involved”.

Rosli mumbled something inaudible and then said-“When an educated man who is my junior in university swears his innocence in the name of God, what do you expect me to do?” Then Rosli said he had to go.

That left me wondering. Is Rosli for real? Was it that easy for him to trust people who had wronged him? Many questions played in my mind. But I decided to keep my peace. It seems to me Rosli is more distressed with this civil trial than during his criminal trial. During the criminal trial where I was present most times, I noted Rosli’s strong quiet character. But this time he seemed unsettled.

I recall meeting him at a book launch at the Royal Selangor Club last week where Rafizi Ramli officiated. Rosli appeared a bit dejected. I asked him why and he said that he was having a tough time preparing for his civil trial. He whispered that witnesses were afraid to appear at his trial. Some had their personal reasons, some did not want to get entangled with the authorities. I felt sorry for him and wanted to cheer him by joking that perhaps he should promise these witnesses a portion of the RM50 million.

Rosli gave me a dry smile and then said that he had never felt so alone and expressed disappointment in some friends. He said he asked his wife to write her account of the events of 2007. Apparently his wife’s account was so sad that it made Rosli feel very guilty for the things that had happened as if he failed to protect his family and dishonoured his father’s name. I gave him a pat on the back and asked him to cheer up.

Then earlier today I read a Malaysiakini report which states that A-G Gani Patail is blocking Rosli’s right to give evidence in court (see Malaysiakini Reports below). I have always thought that the very purpose why judicial hearings are in open court is to allow the public to observe and hear for themselves how justice is being dispensed. How Judges must be seen impartial. How justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done. That can only happen if a victim like Rosli is allowed to have his day in court; to tell his story and air his grievance; to confront his accusers and make them answer why they did all that to him.

I recall that the very basic Rule of Natural Justice is The Right To Be Heard. How can there be justice if the AG can block Rosli from being heard. Something is wrong with our justice system if that can happen. It doesn’t require a doctor to tell a sick person that he is sick. It doesn’t need a judge to be told that justice is sick if the A-G Gani Patail can do that.

I am told that the Judge is a lady, Justice Hue Siew Kheng. To Her Ladyship I ask – please be fair like the blind folded Lady of Justice. Have no regard for the A-G, have only regard for what is right and wrong. A man who has been wronged who comes to seek justice from the court must not be turned away. Rosli must not be turned away and dismissed so dismally.

I did not intend to attend Rosli’s civil trial because I thought it is not as serious as the fate awaiting him in the criminal trial. I thought it is just about claiming RM50 million. But now I realise that I may be wrong. I now realise that Rosli is fighting for honour, truth and justice so that the thing that befell him befalls no one.

I realise that in his own small way, he is trying to correct the system. If so, Rosli deserves our support once again. He is not asking for monetary contribution. He is only asking for neutrality in our justice system so that the lay man who comes before the courts are given their fair hearing. He is asking that we observe the Justices who are supposed to dispense justice. So, Malaysians, I say to you, we have to resurrect the Court of Public Opinion!

November 28, 2012

A-GC moves to silence Rosli on roles of Gani, Musa

by Hafiz Yatim@www.malaysiakini.com

In a bid to silence lawyer Rosli Dahlan, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (A-GC) today objected to him giving evidence on matters pertaining to the ‘Copgate affair’ involving attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail and former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan.

Rosli applied to Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Hue Siew Kheng, in chambers, to allow him to read his witness statement in open court, which the judge allowed.

Following this, Justice Hue fixed Dec 28 to hear submissions on the matter and ordered Azizan to file a formal application to expunge those portions before the application is heard on that day. The judge also fixed Jan 25 for to hear Rosli’s testimony.

Azizan argued that third parties were named in the statement of the witness, which was why the AG’s Chambers was objecting.

It is learnt that the objection arose because Rosli’s testimony would touch on the role of Musa and Gani (right) in Rosli’s charge of not complying with the ACA’s procedures to declare his assets, before the sessions court in 2007, on which he was acquittedwithout his defence called.

Rosli, 51, had named several officers in the ACA, the precursor to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, including present Chief Commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed and Deputy Head of Prosecution Anthony Kevin Morais, as defendants in his RM50 million defamation suit.

He had also named UMNO-owned daily Utusan Malaysia and its senior editor Mohd Zaini Hassan.

The lawyer, who had represented former Commercial Crime Investigations Department director Ramli Yusuff, in is seeking damages over defamatory statements made, the injury to his reputation, assault and false imprisonment.

Ramli, who was later charged by the ACA, was also acquitted of the five charges against him and the decision was further upheld by the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Yesterday, Justice Hue had called on the parties to try and settle the case and to take into account the decisions made by the other courts.

‘Arrest of Goh an act of disloyalty’

Rosli in his writ described the acrimonious relationship between Ramli and Musa and how the IGP had used the ACA and the A-G’s Chambers to implicate him and Ramli following the arrest of an underworld kingpin, Goh Cheng Poh or ‘Tengku Goh’.

Rosli said he acted for Ramli and the then Deputy Home Minister Johari Baharom against Goh’s habeas corpus application in 2007, after the AG’s Chambers refused to draw up their affidavits.

He said Musa (left) saw the arrest of Goh as disloyalty on the part of Ramli, resulting in the IGP initiating further ACA investigations against Ramli. This resulted in a strained relationship between Musa and Ramli and Johari.

Rosli further claimed that he earned the wrath of Musa and the attorney-general when he drew up the affidavits for Ramli and Johari, and this led to the ACA investigations against him and his subsequent arrest.

He said an ACA officer kicked his leg, twisted his arms and handcuffed him tightly, resulting in lacerations and swelling of his wrists.

He gave his statement at the ACA headquarters, but was held overnight and taken to court and charged on the eve of Hari Raya, on October 27, 2007. These were malicious actions out to tarnish his image, he added in his writ.

November 27, 2012

Rosli’s suit: Court moots speedy settlement

by Hafiz Yatim@www.malaysiakini.com

A Kuala Lumpur High Court judge has advised parties involved in the RM50 million suit from lawyer Rosli Dahlan to continue with the settlement process.

This follows Rosli, who had acted for former Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Ramli Yusuff, in what is described as the “Copgate affair”, has today agreed to withdraw his claim against Bank Negara Financial Intelligence Unit manager Abdul Rahman Abu Bakar.

Justice Hue Siew Kheng said this in open court on being informed by Rosli’s counsel Chithan Jethwani that his client has agreed to withdraw the claim against Abdul Rahman after reading the Bank Negara officer’s witness statement.

“After Rosli read the witness statement from a prosecuting officer Dzulkifli Ahmad (who was then attached to the Anti-Corruption Agency), that it was he who did the Bank Negara search and not the 16th defendant (Abdul Rahman),” said Chithan.

Rosli agreed to withdraw its action against the Bank Negara officer following a settlement discussion yesterday where terms are said to be confidential.

This was affirmed by Bank Negara counsel Tan Hock Chuan, who said there should be no orders made as to costs.

It was learnt that previously Dzulkifli never admitted to conducting the search and it was upon seeing the former ACA’s witness statement where this was admitted that the lawyer decided to stop the action against Bank Negara.

Last November (2011), Kuala Lumpur High Court judge John Louis O’Hara had struck out Abdul Rahman as one of the defendants in the RM50 million lawsuit, in which Rosli had claimed the national bank had conducted an unlawful search of his assets, but the Bank Negara officer was later reinstated in the suit by the Court of Appeal in August.

Chithan had informed the court today that the other parties sought an adjournment to the day’s hearing as they wanted to seek further instructions on the witnesses testifying in the trial, following the filing of their witness statements.

Justice Hue then recorded the withdrawal of the claim against the Bank Negara officer, and advised all parties to look into the notes of proceedings and earlier decisions made related to the matter.

She said this when all parties met earlier in her chambers, where Justice Hue was learnt to have said the Attorney-General’s Chambers (A-GC) should not deny the facts which already exist in the previous criminal judgments against Rosli and Ramli, and notes of proceeding in cases related to the matter.

“The court advises parties to continue to look into the process of settlement,” she said.

Senior federal counsel Azizan Md Arshad represented the MACC officers and the government, while Mohana Kumar appeared for Utusan Melayu.

Utusan Malaysia apologised over its reports on Rosli’s arrest where it described him as being a Singapore lawyer, although he is a Malaysian citizen.

Rosli, a partner in the law firm Lee Hishammuddin Allen and Gledhill, had filed the claim in 2009 seeking defamatory damages along with tort of conspiracy and injury claims against the defendants.

Insights on former IGP expected

The case is expected to provide some explosive insights into allegations over how the MACC and the AG-C were used to protect former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Musa Hassan after Ramli had taken action on underworld figure Goh Cheng Poh and placed him under restricted residence.

Rosli was initially charged five years ago with allegedly not complying with the then Anti-Corruption Agency’s (ACA) procedures to declare his assets, but was acquitted by the Sessions Court, and on August 2, prosecution for the MACC withdrew their appeal against his acquittal.

In his claim, Rosli described the acrimonious relationship between Ramli and Musa (above) and how the IGP had used the MACC, and the AG-C to implicate him and Ramli following Goh’s arrest.

Rosli claimed he had acted for Ramli and the then Deputy Home Minister Johari Baharom against Goh’s habeas corpus application in 2007 after the AGC refused to draft them.

However, Musa saw Goh’s arrest as disloyalty on the part of Ramli, resulting in the IGP further initiating ACA investigations on him, causing strained relations between Musa, Ramli and Johari.

Rosli further alleged he earned the wrath of Musa and the Attorney-General when he drew up affidavits for Ramli and Johari, which led to the MACC investigations against him and his subsequent arrest where an anti-graft officer kicked his leg, twisted his arms and handcuffed him tightly, causing lacerations and swelling on his wrist.

He was brought to court and charge on Hari Raya’s eve in 2007, which he claimed were malicious actions out to tarnish his image.

Rosli was present in court today with his wife and children, along with former MACC advisory panel member Robert Phang, who is slated to be his witness.

Meanwhile on Nov 16, police held a retirement do for Ramli, who had been cleared of all charges of non-disclosure of his assets and was reinstated into the force.

During the ceremony, Ramli hit out at Musa and the Attorney-General when giving his retirement speech.